Electronic signature capture via secure interface

ABSTRACT

A system and method for capturing an electronic signature from a mouse, signature pad, or other input device is disclosed. The system comprises: a signer interface and a separate user interface. The signer interface is configured to present text to a signer via the input device and receive position data representing the points of an electronic signature. The user interface is configured to: select a document for signature based on input from a user, define at least one signature insertion area in the document, define at least one signature capture window, enable the input of position data from the signer interface when the at least one signature capture window is defined, draw at least one signature in the at least one signature capture window; map the at least one signature from the at least one signature capture window to the at least one signature insertion area in the document, and disable the input from the signer interface when the at least one signature is integrated in the document.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to technique for acquiring an electronicsignature from a signer using a generic pointing device. In particular,the invention relates to a system and method for selectively enablinginput from a mouse or other pointing device for purposes of transmittingsignature data while disabling other mouse-type functions moregenerally.

BACKGROUND

Electronic signature devices for capturing a handwritten electronicsignature at the point of sale and use are becoming more and morecommonplace.

In some prior art approaches, the person requesting the signature from asigner share their computer with the person signing the document. Thismay require the person share their mouse or other peripheral device withthe person signing. This can be undesirable to many people because ofthe transfer of germs and bacteria from the signer to the person'speripheral devices. In additionally, the sharing of a pen, mouse, ortouch interfaces effectively gives the signer control of mouse-typefunctionality of the host's computer and possible access to computer andnetwork resources. This can be an unacceptable security risk for mostbusiness.

There is therefore a need for a simple and elegant system to acquiresignature data from the signer without sharing the computer orinstalling expensive third-party software.

SUMMARY

The invention features a novel system and method for capturing anelectronic signature from a mouse, signature pad, or similar inputdevice without the need for expensive hardware, third-party software, orcustom coding. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a signerinterface, a separate user interface, and a processor operably coupledto the signer interface and separate user interface. The signerinterface can include a signature pad or other input device for enteringsignature data, and optional display device. The signer interface isconfigured to present text to a signer via the input device and receiveposition data representing the points of an electronic signature.

The user interface may include any of a number of peripheral deviceswith which the user can select, view, and edit documents including adisplay device, a mouse or other pointing device, and a keyboard or softkeys representing a QWERTY keypad, for example. The user interface isconfigured to: select a document for signature based on input from auser, define at least one signature insertion area in the document, anddefine at least one signature capture window.

The processor, which can include a single computer or multiplecomputers, is configured to enable the input of position data from thesigner interface when the at least one signature capture window isdefined or otherwise active, receive at least one signature comprisingposition data from the signer interface; transform the positiondata—typically absolute position data—from the signature pad to relativeposition data; draw at least one signature in the at least one signaturecapture window based on the relative position data; map the at least onesignature from the at least one signature capture window to the at leastone signature insertion area in the document, and disable the input fromthe signer interface when the at least one signature is integrated inthe document.

In one embodiment, the method for capturing a digital signature via aninput device comprises: selecting a document for signature, defining atleast one signature insertion area in the document, defining at leastone signature capture window, enabling input from the signer interfacewhen the at least one signature capture window is defined, receivingposition data representing points of a signature from the input device,transforming the position data from the input device to relativeposition data; drawing at least one signature in the at least onesignature capture window based on the relative position data, mappingthe at least one signature from the at least one signature capturewindow to the at least one signature insertion area in the document, anddisabling the input from the signer interface when the at least onesignature is drawn. By disabling the signer interface, the presentinvention prevents the signer from accessing basic functionalityavailable to the user via the application software or operating system,thereby improving security.

The one or more signature insertion areas may be defined by the userwith a drag and drop of the user's cursor. In other embodiments, the oneor more signature insertion areas are defined by a processor using imageanalysis techniques to identify signature blocks or other areasrequiring a signature in the document. In some embodiments, the userinterface is further configured to modulate the width of the line usedto draw the electronic signature to produce a more realistic lookingsignature. In other embodiments, the user interface is configured to:record a sequence of interactions including signature insertion areasbased on their locations in the document; and replay the sequence toautomatically guide the user and signer through the same sequence ofinteractions and signature insertion areas, for their convenience.

In addition to improved security, the present invention has a number ofother advantages and benefits. The present invention can be used with anumber of different input devices including mouse-type pointing device,signature pads, and drawing tools. Each of the devices can employedwithout the need for custom software modifications to the document orthe application used to view and edit the document. In fact, theinvention works on any webpage with a mouse or touch enabled componentwithout the need for additional third-party code integration. As thesame time, the signer is blocked or walled off from undesired access tomouse-related functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a separate and secure user interface system comprising asignature pad for acquiring an electronic signature, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the process of providing separate and secureelectronic signature capture with two interfaces, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3A shows a document with a signature insertion area, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3B shows a document with the signature insertion area highlighted,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a signature capture window, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5C show example LCD screenshots, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6A shows a pair of electronic signature lines with uniformthickness, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6B shows a pair of signature lines with variable thickness, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6C shows a portion of a signature modulated with three line widths,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of the computing device, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

The present invention may be employed in a wide variety of professionalsettings in which customers are asked to electronically sign digitaldocuments, including retail establishments, hospitals and otherhealthcare facilities, as well as banks and other financialinstitutions. These electronic documents can include purchaseagreements, contracts, authorization forms, consent forms, etc. Theparty requesting the signature, herein called the user, provides accessto their computer system to a customer, herein called a signer, forpurposes of electronically signing the digital document. The presentinvention provides the signer with a simple and accurate method forsigning using a signature pad or touch sensitive device, mouse, penenabled canvas, or drawing element. The signer, specifically the inputdevice used by the signer, is provided a specific set of privileges forpurposes of completing the required form(s), while preventing the signerfrom editing the digital document, accessing other documents, ornavigating through the application or operating system function, moregenerally.

While using a mouse-type interface to sign a PDF document, for example,the present invention prevents the signer from interacting with thebutton bar in the viewer application, thereby securing the document anduser's computer system from tampering. With the present invention, thereis no need to integrate code into a web page, thereby making integrationwith existing software quicker and easier. The present invention alsorequires minimal change in a customer's work environment, thereby makingoperable with low-cost signature pads.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention in the preferred embodiment includesa computing system with separate and secure user interfaces (SSUI) forperforming electronic signature capture. The SSUI system 100 includes acomputing device 110, one or more display devices 120 140 or touchscreens, a keyboard 122, mouse 124 or other pointing device, and anelectronic signature pad 130 or other signature input device. Thecomputing device 110, in turn, includes a mouse emulation module 111configured to transform the input of an external device into mouse-typeinput. The signature pad 130 includes a touch-sensitive LCD display 132and stylus or pen 134. The signature pad 130 is operably coupled to thecomputing device 110 through via a mouse emulation module 111. The firstdisplay 120, keyboard 122, and mouse 124 are operated by the user, whilethe second display 140 and signature pad 130 are dedicated for use bythe signer.

The user operates the keyboard 132 and mouse 134 for purposes ofselecting documents to sign, editing those documents, presenting thedocuments to the signer, managing the signing process, and saving theexecuted documents.

The signer, on the other hand, operates only the signature pad 130,which has limited functionality. The electronic signature pad 130 isconfigured to digitize the signature and then transmit signature data insuitable format to the computing device via an interface such as a USB(Universal Serial Bus) interface (not shown) or a wireless communicationlink (not shown). The LCD screen 132 may be configured to receivecontent pertinent to the transaction from the computing device 110, anddisplay that text and graphic on the LCD screen where the signer canreview it. This information may include instructions (e.g., “sign hereto accept”), legal notifications (e.g., terms and conditions), as wellas virtual buttons for the user to press (e.g., “accept” and “cancel”).

Consider a hospital setting, for example, with an admitting clerk behindthe desk or counter, and the signer in front of the desk or counter. Theclerk can administer all the normal admitting functions using the mouse124, keyboard 122, or touch screen 120. The signer has a signature padin front of them but never touches the clerk's mouse or touch screen.When it is time for the signer to review the document and sign, theclerk provides the signer with access to the data to be signed via thesignature pad 130, printed paper copy, or by displaying the informationon the display 120 or auxiliary screen, second display 140. To initiatesigning, the clerk uses the mouse to select a signing area on a drawingcanvas and instructs the signer to sign in a space on the signature pad130 (see FIG. 5A). That signature is immediately transferred and drawninto the signing area of the screen. The signer has access to thecomputing system 110, but only the minimum functionality necessary tosign the document. In some embodiments, the signer interface includes amouse, but the mouse is limited to the minimum functionality necessaryto sign the document. This SSUI system 100, therefore, improvessecurity, prevents novice users from interacting with the hospital'scomputer terminal, and prevents the transfer of germs and bacteria tothe clerk's computer peripherals.

To improve security and prevent tampering, the computing system 110 isconfigured to limit the functionality of the signer's input device. Insome embodiments, the signature pad is enabled, i.e., able to provideinput to the computing device 110 during the signing operation, but notbefore or after. In particular, the signature pad 130 is limited toproviding only limited mouse-like functionality during the signingoperation, but not before or after. In the preferred embodiment, thecomputing device 110 receives and responds to input from the signaturepad 130 only while entering a signature, and that input is limited todata defining the location of the signature and the data defining thesignature itself. All hovering, scrolling, and interactions with theoperating system or document viewing application are disabled. Theuser's access to the computing device, therefore, consists only of theinput of signature data, and optionally the selection of an area of adocument in which to insert one or more signatures and the approval ofthose one more signatures.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the process of performingelectronic signature capture with the SSUI system 100 of the presentinvention. As illustrated, operations in the left column are performedby the user, operations in the center column are performed by the SSUIsystem 100, and operations in the right column are performed by thesigner.

The process begins with the user, e.g., a host at a retail facility,selecting 210 a contract or other document to be signed. The documentselected may include any of a number of format types including PDF andWORD™, and launched using any of a number of commercial softwareapplications. The document is then presented 212 on one or more displaydevices. The document may be presented on the first display 120 ifshared by the user and signer, or presented on both the first display120 and second display 140 if not shared.

The area of the document at which the electronic signature will beinserted, i.e., a “signature insertion area” (see 310 in FIG. 3A), isselected 214 using any of a number of mechanisms. In one embodiment, theuser defines a “signature insertion area” by pressing the mouse's leftclick button on the computer screen, dragging the cursor to a specifiedpoint diagonally across from the first selected point, and releasing themouse's left click button to select a rectangular signing area.Referring to FIG. 3A, the signature insertion area 310 is shown at thesignature block in a PDF document 300. Various other manual andautomated mechanisms for selecting the signature insertion area arediscussed in detail below.

Once the signature insertion area is defined, the SSUI system 100automatically differentiates the signature insertion area from theremainder of the document for the convenience of the user. In thepreferred embodiment, the SSUI system 100 highlights 216 the signatureinsertion area with respect to the document more generally. As shown inFIG. 3B, the boundary of the signature insertion area 310 is madevisible by dimming or shading the document 350, except for the signatureinsertion area which is displayed with the same brightness and contrastused to display the document 300 before the signature insertion area wasselected. In some embodiments, the signature insertion area 310 isdimmed and the remaining portion of the document 300 left unchanged.

In some embodiments, the SSUI system 100 also determines whether or notthe dimensions of the signature insertion area correspond to that of thesignature pad 130. That is, the SSUI system 100 preferably only permitsthe selection of a signature insertion area 310 that has the same ofsimilar aspect ratio to that of the LCD screen 132 of the signature pad130, thereby preventing the signature from being improperly distortedwhen mapped to the document 300. In other embodiments, the aspect ratioof the signature pad 130 is used to control the aspect ratio of thecapture area on the screen to preserve the true aspect ratio of theelectronic signature. When the user moves the cursor after pressing theleft click button of the mouse, the SSUI system 100 in the preferredembodiment only generates a signature insertion area having the sameaspect ratio as the signature pad's LCD screen 132 independent of wherethe user drops the cursor.

In the preferred embodiment, the SSUI system 100 also generates 218 asignature capture window 400, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, for manuallydefining the signature insertion area 310. The signature capture window400 may be displayed (i) at a predefined location on the monitor 120,(ii) in the center of one of the monitor 120, or (iii) in an areadetermined automatically to be the signing area. To define the signatureinsertion area 310, the user presses a “define corners” button 420, setsthe cursor at one corner, such as the upper left corner of the desiredsignature insertion area in the document 300, left clicks the mouse 124,drags the cursor diagonally to the bottom right side of the desiredsignature insertion area, and releases the left click. If the box isacceptable, the user preferably clicks the “check” button 430 and thesignature insertion area illustrated in the document at box 310, in thewindow 400 (namely box 410), or both.

Once the signature insertion area 310 is defined, the computing device110 in some embodiment is configured to enable input from the signaturepad 130. Before this, the signature pad 130 is disabled, thus preventingthe signer from having any control over the user's computing device 110or its operation.

The signer is then prompted 218 to electronically sign on the signaturepad 130. The prompt may include the highlighting of the signatureinsertion area 310, the presentation of the signature capture window400, or some other notification to the signer.

The user then begins to sign 220 by applying the stylus 134 or a similarsigning tool to their signature pad 130 (see FIG. 5A). After each firsttouch of the signing tool to the signature pad, the computing device'scursor is set to drawing mode. The draw mode may also be triggered, forexample, when the user initially left clicks the mouse 124 to define thesignature insertion area. As the signer signs on the signature pad, thesignature pad 130 generates signature data, i.e., x and y coordinates,based on where the stylus touches the LCD screen 132. The signature dataare transmitted to the computing device 110 where they are mapped 226 tothe signature capture window 400 to produce signature 440 displayed inthe current arrangement of monitors. The signature data may be scaledaccordingly if the aspect ratio of the signature insertion area 410 isdifferent than the aspect ratio of the LCD screen 132 of the signaturepad 130.

In the preferred embodiment, each point of signature data (x, y) isreceived 222 and mapped 226 from the signature pad 130 to the signatureinsertion area 410 and a line drawn connecting that point to theprevious point. If the stylus leaves the LCD screen 132 for any reason,decision block 224 is answered in the negative and no drawing operationis performed until the stylus again touches the LCD screen.

In the preferred embodiment, the mouse emulating module 111 maps theinput from the signature pad 130 to the signature capture window 400. Indoing so, the mouse emulating module 111 transforms a data protocolspecific to the signature pad 130 to a different data protocol used by aconventional mouse, typically the Human Interface Device (HID) Protocol.In the preferred embodiment, for example, the data from signature pad130 locates the stylus using x and y coordinates, where thosecoordinates are absolute measurements with respect to a fixed point ofthe LCD display. This fixed point represents the origin in thisreference frame used by the protocol. In contrast, the input from ageneric mouse represents relative movement of a mouse pointing device,i.e., Δx and Δy position data indicative of the direction and distancethat the mouse has been moved since the last data point. That is to say,the mouse position data comprises location data for a series of points,where the location of each point is defined in terms of the relativeposition of the previous point in the sequence. The mouse emulatingmodule 111 effectively converts the absolute position measurements fromthe signature pad 130 to relative position measurements to emulate ageneric mouse pointing device. In response, the computing device 110 isable to read and interpret the position data without any proprietarydevice driver or custom software coding. The computing device 110 thenstrings together the position data to produce a complete signaturewhile, at the same time, preventing the signer from performing any othermouse-type functions, namely cursor movement, hovering, scrolling, oractivation of software buttons on the document display software oroperating system more generally.

Upon completion of the signature, the signer is prompted 228 to accept asignature 510 just entered using the LCD screen's signature interface500 shown in FIG. 5A, for example. To accept 230, the user need onlytouch the stylus to the “OK” button 514. If not acceptable, the signerpresses the “clear” button to delete the current signature data.

Once the signature 510 is accepted, the SSUI system 100 determineswhether there are more electronic signatures to be added to thedocument. If there are more signatures to be added to the document 300,a decision block 232 is answered in the affirmative and the SSUI system100 advances to the next signature block. In some embodiments, the userscrolls to the next signature block and manually selects the signatureinsertion area, and the process above repeated until each electronicsignature is added. In some other embodiments, the SSUI system 100 isconfigured to record the location of each signature insertion area 310in the form of sequence based on the locations of the signatureinsertions areas and the interactions necessary to navigate to each ofthe areas. Thereafter, the SSUI system can automatically skip to eachsignature insertion area with little or no user interaction.

If there are no more signatures, the decision block 232 is answered inthe negative and the SSUI system 100 generates a software object foreach signature and embeds or otherwise merges 234 the one or moreobjects into the document based on the coordinates of the document andsignature capture area represented in the display 120. The drawing modeused for capturing the electronic signature from the signature pad 130is also disabled at the computing device 110. Thereafter, the user mayclick 236 to save 238 or otherwise store the document with the one ormore electronic signatures.

Automatic Selection of Signature Insertion Areas

In some embodiments, the size, shape, and location of the signatureinsertion areas are prerecorded by the user and the recording playedback with a signer in order to automate the process. To record thelocation of each signature insertion area, the user pushes a “record”button and the SSUI system 100 records user interactions with thesoftware application for viewing/editing the document. During therecording period, any interactions with the application—including cursorselections, cursor movement, scrolling, and user-selected signatureinsertion areas—are recorded and saved for later retrieval. When theuser has completed the recording of the interactions, the user pushes a“stop” button to end the recording. The user is prompted to name andsave this recording for later use. The sequence of interactions from“record” to “stop” are compiled into a set of machine-readableinstructions, preferably in the form of a script, that can be replayedat a later time. The time, location, and the screenshots and otherinformation related to the applications for each interaction may also beincorporated with the script for ease of use.

After a recording is generated, the user merely selects and “plays” or“replays” the recorded script, which causes the SSUI system 100 toautomatically repeat the user's recorded interactions including theselection of the signature insertion areas as well as the process ofnavigating between signature insertion areas in the document. The SSUIsystem, therefore, automates and accelerates the steps necessary toacquire the signatures and fully execute the document.

For the first recorded signing within a recording, the SSUI system 100prompts the user or signer to specify one of two optional modes. In thefirst mode, the SSUI system 100 prompts the signer to sign for eachselected signing area in the recording. In the second mode, the SSUIsystem 100 prompts the signer to sign once. Thereafter, the onesignature is captured and entered into each subsequent signatureinsertion area. In either mode, the user or signer selects a button orpresses a key to navigate from one recorded signature insertion area tothe next. The user may skip one or more recorded signature insertionareas or end the replay at any time. If a recorded interaction orrecorded signature insertion is not found, then the SSUI system 100prompts the user on how they wish to continue. The user may then stopthe replaying of the selected recording or skip to the next recordedsignature insertion area. Once, the user has finished signing all of therecorded signature insertion areas, the SSUI system notifies the userthat the replaying has ended and whether there were any issues withreplaying the selected recording.

In accordance with the present invention, the SSUI system 100 isconfigured to enable the signer to use the electronic signature pad tocontrol a computer's cursor, but only to a very limited extent describedherein. These deliberate limitations include a limit on functionalityand also in terms of signing region. It enhances the function of astandard signature pad to control a cursor by mapping one's signature onthe signature pad to a select area on one or more monitors.

Methods for Selecting Signing Areas

The SSUI system 100 may employ up to six mechanisms for defining orfinding each signature insertion area: (1) processed after manualselection, (2) automatic selection via image processing, (3) automaticselection via indication technology and image processing, (4)moving/dragging or resizing a signature capture window, (5) definingpre-sized signature capture windows that can be moved/dragged from apredefined location, and (6) automatically selecting previously selectedareas using saved data and image processing. Each of the six mechanismscan be initialized through user settings or user selection of hots keys,cursor clicks, or voice/speech commands.

The first mechanism for selecting the signature insertion area includespressing the mouse's left click button on the computer display 120,dragging the cursor to a specified point diagonally across from thefirst selected point, and releasing the mouse's left click button todefine a rectangular signing area. After dragging the computer display'scursor across the desired area, the signature insertion area ishighlighted to show the boundaries of the selected area.

The second mechanism for selecting the signing area includes theautomatic selection of the signature insertion area as determined by thecomputing device 110. The computing device 110 includes an imageprocessing module that performs filtering on a snapshot of the monitoror monitors as a whole. First, the image processing module transformseach of the colors in the monitor snapshot into its correspondinggrayscale. Then dilatation is performed in order to obscure the smalldetails within the snapshot. Next, the snapshot is pixelated to breakdown curves within the snapshot. Then all colors that are not white areturned black using threshold image processing. Lastly, a canny edgedetector is used to determine which areas in the snapshot are likelysigning areas. If the image processing module concludes that a specificarea on the screen is a potential signing area, then the area ishighlighted on the user's screen for the user to select. If there isonly one area detected as a potential signing area, then this signingarea is automatically selected.

The third mechanism for selecting a signature insertion area utilizesindication technology, such as QR codes, vibrant colors, patterns, andimage processing to determine whether a signing area is located within awebpage. A touch, mouse, or pen enabled component can be wrapped with anindicator, such as a QR code that is encoded with specific coordinatesthat specify where on the web page a touch enabled signature insertionarea is located within a web page. The SSUI system 100 performs imageprocessing to read all the monitors for this indicator. Once it finds anindicator, the indicator is read to discover where on the web page thetouch enabled signature insertion area is located. The signature pad'spen input is then mapped to the touch enabled signing area that wasdiscovered via reading the indicator.

The fourth mechanism for selecting a signature insertion area includesmoving, dragging, and/or resizing the signature capture window 400 tofit the signature insertion area. This selection method allows the userto reconfigure the location of the displayed signature capture window bymoving or dragging the window over a signing area and/or resizing thesignature capture window to fit the dimensions of a signing area. Once asignature capture window is reconfigured for a signature insertion area,the signature data and LCD screen are cleared.

The fifth mechanism for selecting a signature insertion area is tomove/drag a pre-sized signature capture window to a signing area. Theuser can define differently sized signature capture windows 400 and thenselect the pre-sized signature capture window that they wish to use forsigning. The user defines the size of the signature capture window 400either through saving a previously selected signature capture window'ssize or by defining the size within settings. The user can also specifythe location on the monitor(s) the signature capture window is to bepresented initially as well as hot keys to open the pre-sized window.Once a signature capture window is defined, it is accessible byselecting a docked button or pressing specified keys.

The sixth mechanism for selecting a signature insertion area includesthe automatic selection of previously selected areas using saved dataand image processing. Once one of the other five selection methods hasbeen completed, the SSUI system 100 can remember the actions andrecognize the next time it should automatically select this area. Thisis achieved by saving or storing screenshots and/or snapshots and thelocation of the selected signing area of these selections in order todetermine whether any current or future screens have snapshots thatresemble the saved snapshots. If image processing determines that asaved snapshot resembles any snapshot on the screen(s) before or duringthe selection process, then the SSUI system 100 is configured toautomatically select the signature capture area that corresponds withthe selected signature capture area for the saved snapshot. If multiplesaved snapshots are discovered to resemble one or more snapshots on thescreen(s), then the user will be prompted to make a selection betweeneach resembling snapshot's signature capture area(s).

Display of LCD Content

The present SSUI system 100 is further configured to provide aninterface for enabling a user to incorporate components—including text,buttons, and images—to be displayed on the LCD screen 132, and togenerate navigation for these components. This will allow users toprovide, and signers to access, the content for which they are signing.Two methods that allow for the quick customization of the signature pad130 of the SSUI system are: (a) transfer selected text to the LCD screenand (b) visually edit and format the content to be displayed on the LCDscreen.

With regard to the transfer of selected text, the SSUI system 100 isconfigured to record and transfer text to the signature pad 130 when theuser (i) selects the desired text to be added to the LCD, and (ii)enters a preconfigured keyboard shortcut for adding the selected text tothe LCD screen, herein referred to as the “text add” key combination.After the text is transferred to the signature pad 130, the LCD screenis then configured to display all the uploaded text with a built-inability to navigate through the text to the signature interface 500.

The SSUI system 100 is also configured to conveniently aggregate blocksof text from different sources. To attach blocks of text located indifferent source documents and files, the user merely selects each blockof text and types the “text add” key combination. Each time the “textadd” key combination is entered, the SSUI system 100 adds the new blockof text to previously selected block(s) of text stored to form asequential list of text attachments. After attaching all blocks of text,the user can add the text blocks to the LCD screen 132 by using the“text add” key combination again. The content may appear in the form ofa series of notices provided to the signer via the LCD screen 132. Forexample, this text may include a series of windows disclosing the Terms& Conditions 520 with a new portion of the agreement being presentedeach time the signer uses the stylus 134 to select the “continue” button522, as shown in FIG. 5B. The last text to be displayed generallyincludes a conclusion window 530 informing the signer that theirsignature(s) will be incorporated into the document being executed, asshown in FIG. 5C.

In addition, a second keyboard shortcut, referred to as the “text clear”key combination, can be used to expunge the text from the LCD screen aswell as the list text attachments, thereby resetting the LCD screen tothe signature interface 500 only.

With regard to visually editing and formatting content, the SSUI system100 is configured with a graphical user interface (GUI) for visuallycreating content to be displayed on the LCD screen. The GUI enables theuser to select and add images, buttons, and text to a canvas that issubsequently displayed on the LCD screen of the signature pad 130. TheGUI also enables the user to select the navigation and events that occurwhen the components are selected with the stylus, for example. Editingof the navigation and events is done on a per device basis, and thecontent loaded based on the model and manufacturer of the signature padin use. All of the data from the GUI is transformed into a script forsubsequent review and editing by the user. Once the content is uploadedand the navigation and events defined, the visual and textual editor isused to display content on the LCD screen when the signing processbegins.

Signature Verification

One aspect of the present invention includes the enhancement of themouse-function-drawn graphical signature with graphical or biometriccues. In some embodiments, the SSUI system 100 is configured to drawingthe biometric cues on the canvas during the capture process. Forexample, the SSUI system 100 may modulate the pen width according to thevelocity of the stylus 134, the width of the stylus, the pressure on thestylus. In the preferred embodiment, fixed-time-interval cues areacquired during acquisition of the signature to show the relative timeinterval of sequential segments of the signature when signed.

A pair of signature lines with uniform, fixed-width lines 610, 620 andno modulation are illustrated in FIG. 6A. The same pair of signaturelines 630, 640 with line width modulation are shown in FIG. 6B. As canbe seen, the leading portions 632, 642 of the lines are drawn relativelythick on the digital document, and then taper down to thin lines at thetrailing portions 634, 644 of the lines. This line width modulation isachieved in the present invention by varying the thickness of thesegment of signature line based on the distance between uniform timemarkers. In the preferred embodiment, the line segments are then drawnwith a thickness that is inversely proportional to the length of thesegment of the signature line between sequential time marks or timestamps. Short segments of signature line (indicating relatively smallmovement of the stylus during a time interval) are then made thick, forexample, while long segments of signature line (indicting relativelylarge movement of the stylus during a time interval) are made thin.

Illustrated in FIG. 5C is portion of signature line 550 with line widthmodulation in accordance with the preferred embodiment. The signature550 progresses from left to right while the thickness is measured by thevertical width of the line structure drawn. The line width modulation isachieved by the SSUI system 100 by drawing three parallel line betweeneach pair of time marks 590, 592, 594, 596. Each of the three parallellines possesses the same thickness, but the spacing between the lines isvaried to modulate the signature thickness. The portion of signatureillustrated corresponds to three pairs of time marks producing threeconsecutive segments 560, 570, 580 of signature line, each with adifferent line width.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the first segment 560 is produced with threeparallel lines 562 drawn by the SSUI system 100 with relatively smallgaps there between. The second segment 570 is also produced with threeparallel lines 572 but larger gaps there between. The third segment 580,the widest line segment, is again produced with three parallel lines 582characterized by the largest gaps there between. As drawn, this portionof signature line grows from thin to heavy as it progresses from left toright. The present invention, therefore, creates the impression of avariable line width or a time-stamped graphic by modulating the path ofthe electronic ink being applied to the canvas.

SSUI System Functional Block Diagram

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the computingdevice 110 of the SSUI system 100. The computing device 110 may be astand-alone computer, terminal, server, or network of computers, linkedby means of a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MAN(Metropolitan Area Network), the Internet, or combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the computing device 100 includes at least a userinterface 710, a signer interface 780, and a memory store 790. Thesigner interface may include the following components or modules:

Document Editor 720 to enable the user to view and edit PDF and WORD™documents for purposes of revising the documents to include electronicsignatures comprising electronic ink, in accordance with the inventiontaught herein.

Signature Insertion Area Module 722 to enable the user to manuallyidentify one or more areas of a document requiring a signature, anddefine the location, size, and shape of the signature insertions areasto which a signature is mapped.

Image processing Module 724 configured to use image analysis, objectrecognition, and/or machine learning to automatically identify one ormore areas of a document requiring a signature, and define the location,size, and shape of the signature insertions areas to which a signatureis mapped.

Signature Capture Module 730 configured to generate a signature capturewindow 400, enable the user to define a signature insertion area ifnecessary, and prompt the signer to input a signature via the signerinterface 780.

Signature Mapping Module 732 configured to receive raw signature datafrom a signature pad 130 or other input device and scale that signaturedata in accordance with an associated signature capture window andsignature insertion area.

Document Merge Module 734 configured to convert signature data intosignature objects and embedded those objects at the designated locationin a document.

Interaction Recording Module 740 configured to (i) record a set of userinteractions with the document, including scrolling and signatureinsertion area selection, and (ii) replay that set of interactions whena signer is executing the same document.

Signature Verification Module 742 configured to vary the line width ofan electronic signature based on one or more parameters including thespeed with which the signature, or portions of the signature, aregenerated by the signer, thus producing realistic appearing electronicsignatures.

LCD content GUI 744 configured to enable the user to (i) save andaggregate text selected by the user for display on an LCD screen 132,(ii) generate navigation buttons and events for content displayed on theLCD screen, (iii) and generate graphics to be displayed on the LCDscreen.

The signer interface 780 includes an Input Activation Module 782 and aLCD Content Module 784. The Input Activation Module 782 is configured toselectively enable and disable input from the signature pad 130 or otherinput device. In the preferred embodiment, the Input Activation Module782 enables the input of signature data from the signature pad 130 whena signature insertion area is defined. The Input Activation Module 782then disables input from the signature pad after the signer has pennedand accepted their signature. Before being enabled and after beingdisabled, the input from the signature pad 130 is effectivelydisregarded by the Input Activation Module 782 to prevent the signerfrom making unauthorized changes to the document, application, oroperating system.

The LCD Content Module 784 is configured to upload text and graphics tothe signature pad 130, and to receive the signature data and otherinputs from the signer when the input is activated by the InputActivation Module 782.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may be implemented withone or more computer readable media, wherein each medium may beconfigured to include thereon data or computer executable instructionsfor manipulating data. The computer executable instructions include datastructures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules thatmay be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with ageneral-purpose computer, processor, electronic circuit, or modulecapable of performing various different functions or one associated witha special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number offunctions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing systemto perform a particular function or group of functions and are examplesof program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosedherein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executableinstructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be usedto implement such steps. Examples of computer readable media includerandom-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), programmableread-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory(“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any otherdevice or component that is capable of providing data or executableinstructions that may be accessed by a processing system. Examples ofmass storage devices incorporating computer readable media include harddisk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives, optical disk drives, andsolid state memory chips, for example. The term processor as used hereinrefers to a number of processing devices including electronic circuitssuch as personal computing devices, servers, general purpose computers,special purpose computers, application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), and digital/analog circuits with discrete components, forexample.

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention.

Therefore, the invention has been disclosed by way of example and notlimitation, and reference should be made to the following claims todetermine the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for capturing a digital signature into adocument via a signature pad, the system comprising: a. a signerinterface configured to: i. present text to a signer via the signaturepad; and ii. receive position data from the signature pad; b. a userinterface configured to: i. select the document for signature based oninput from a user, wherein the user is different than the signer; ii.define at least one signature insertion area, each signature insertionarea corresponding a location in the document; iii. define at least onesignature capture window corresponding to the signature insertion area;c. a processor configured to: i. enable input from the signer interfacewhen the at least one signature capture window is defined; ii. receiveat least one signature comprising position data from the signerinterface; iii. transform, for each signature, the position data fromthe signature pad to relative position data; iv. draw the at least onesignature in the at least one signature capture window based on therelative position data; v. map the at least one signature from the atleast one signature capture window to the at least one signatureinsertion area in the document; and vi. disable the input from thesigner interface once the at least one signature is drawn.
 2. The systemin claim 1, wherein the relative position data comprises a sequence ofpoint, each point having a location measure relative to the previouspoint in the sequence.
 3. The system in claim 1, wherein the signaturepad comprises an LCD display, and the position data from the signaturepad comprises coordinates indicating where contact is made with the LCDdisplay in terms of a lateral location x and vertical location y ofcontact with respect to a predefined origin.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the input from the signer interface is disabled once the atleast one signature is received from the signer interface.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the position data is used to draw the at least onesignature in, and only in, the at least one signature capture window. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein define the at least one capture windowfurther is based on selection of the at least one capture window by auser.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor, whereindefine the at least one capture window further is based on selection ofthe at least one capture window by the processor.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein the user interface is further configured to modulate a linewidth of the signature when the signature is drawn in the signaturecapture window.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface isconfigured to: a. record a sequence of signature insertion areas basedon their locations in the document; and b. replay the sequence toautomatically navigate through the same sequence of signature insertionareas.
 10. A method for capturing a digital signature via a signaturepad, the method comprising: a. selecting a document for signature; b.defining at least one signature insertion area, each signature insertionarea corresponding a location in the document; c. defining at least onesignature capture window; d. enabling input from the signature pad whenthe at least one signature capture window is defined; e. receivingposition data from the a signature pad, the position data representingpoints of a signature from a signer; f. transforming the position datafrom the signature pad to relative position data, wherein the signaturepad is configured to emulate a mouse pointing device; g. drawing atleast one signature in the at least one signature capture window basedon the relative position data; h. mapping the at least one signaturefrom the at least one signature capture window to the at least onesignature insertion area in the document; and i. disabling the inputfrom the signer interface when the at least one signature is drawn. 11.The method in claim 10, wherein the position data from the signature padcomprises absolute position data indicating a point of contact relativeto a fixed origin.
 12. The method in claim 10, wherein defining one ormore signature insertion areas comprises dragging and dropping of acursor by a user.
 13. The method in claim 10, wherein the position datais used to draw the at least one signature in, and only in, the at leastone signature capture window.
 14. The method in claim 10, whereindefining the at least one capture window further comprises receiving aselection of the at least one capture window from a user.
 15. The methodin claim 10, wherein defining the at least one capture window furthercomprises automatically identifying a selection of the at least onecapture window by a processor.
 16. The method in claim 10, furthercomprising modulating a line width of the signature when the signatureis drawn in the signature capture window.
 17. The method in claim 10,further comprising: a. recording a sequence of signature insertion areasbased on their locations in the document; and b. replaying the sequenceto automatically navigate through the same sequence of signatureinsertion areas.
 18. A system for capturing a digital signature via asignature pad configured to present text to a signer and generateposition data, the system comprising a user interface configured to: i.select a document for signature based on input from a user, wherein theuser is different than the signer; ii. define at least one signatureinsertion area, each signature insertion area corresponding a locationin the document; iii. define at least one signature capture window; iv.enable input of position data from the signature pad when the at leastone signature capture window is defined; v. transform the position datafrom the signature pad to relative position data; vi. draw at least onesignature in the at least one signature capture window based on therelative position data; vii. map the at least one signature from the atleast one signature capture window to the at least one signatureinsertion area in the document; and viii. disable the input from thesigner interface when the at least one signature is drawn.